i haven't heard the newest rowland amps, but i have m-12's that sounded very similar to my ears like the pass aleph series (with less heat and weight, and able to handle higher speaker loads): (almost) tube sound without the tubes- i personally couldn't ask for much more than that. plus, rowland has undergone some unusual (somewhat rapid) changes in their product lines since the m-12 was discontined. and,
i still have a rowland consumate preamp which has 200 VOLUME STEPS and sounds incredible. the built-in phono sounds good and is QUIET even for moving coil settings. so, in conclusion, i'm (very) happy they have a proud history of making some very good-sounding solid-state. and, i just don't have the overwhelming urge to go out and get a synergy or a 302.
i still have a rowland consumate preamp which has 200 VOLUME STEPS and sounds incredible. the built-in phono sounds good and is QUIET even for moving coil settings. so, in conclusion, i'm (very) happy they have a proud history of making some very good-sounding solid-state. and, i just don't have the overwhelming urge to go out and get a synergy or a 302.